Mounting of road-wheels for vehicles.



PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

G. W. FULTON.

MOUNTING OF ROAD WHEELS FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAYU. 1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

MARIA PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

C. W. FULTON. MOUNTING'OP ROAD WHEELS FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY15.1905.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2 PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

No. 879,160. I

0. W. FULTON. MOUNTING 0F ROAD WHEELSFOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15,1905- 6 SHEETS-SHBET 3 d J k No. 879,160.PATENTED FEB. 18,. 1908. O. W. FULTON.

MOUNTING 0F ROAD WHEELS FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15,1905- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

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Wm -M%% W- %W N0. 879,160. PATENTED FEE-18, 190s.

. 0. W. FULTON.

MOUNTING OF ROAD WHEELS FOR VEHICLES. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 15,1905.

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No.87-9,160. PATBNTED FEB.18,1908.

O. W. FULTON;

MOUNTING OF ROAD WHEELS FOR VEHICLES. APPLICATION FILED MAY 15.1905.

6 SHEETSr-SHEET 6.

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termined limit.

CHARLES WM. FULTON, OF PAISL E Y, SCOTLAND.

' MOUNTING 0F ROAD-WHEELS FOR VEHICLES. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed May 15. 1905. 3....1 r0. 260.572.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES WILLIAM FULTON, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain, residing. at Paisley, Scotland, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in the Mounting of Road-Wheels for Vehicles, ofwhich the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to the mounting or suspension of road wheels forvehicles more particularly applicable to motor-cars and similarvehicles. v

According to this invention the road wheels are mounted on pin or studaxles carried in brackets relatively to which the wheels are permittedto move vertically, these supports being carried on axles or attached tothe end frame or body of the vehicle and between the wheel axle and thebracket and also between the bracket and vehicle are disposed one ormore. springs or series of spri s which relatively do not synchronizeeach other in their movements. In addition to the vertical movement inthe bracket or support the wheel axle is allowed a certain amount offore and aft or lateral movement relatively to the body of the vehicleand either with or relatively to the bracket. When this lateral movementis permitted it may be limited by a radius rod which is telescoplc orcompressible but not extensible beyond a prede- The bracket or supportin which the stud axle is mounted may be allowed to rock on its axle orin suitable bearings. The. arrangement is such. that should the wheelsof the vehicle pass over an obstruction any oscillation or joltin is-nottransmitted to the body of the vehic e or to the people sitting thereinthe vehicle being supported in a very stable manner and thenon-synchronizing of the sprin s causes the parts to come quickly butgrad after passing over any obstruction.

To these ends the present invention con sists in the novel constructionscombinations and arrangements of parts all as hereinafterfully describedand the novel featurespointed out in the claims.

Referri tothe drawings-F-igureS 1 and 2 are sectional elevations takenat right angles to each other showing one form of suspension inaccordance with this invention where the lateral movement of the wheelrelatively to the vehicle is obtained by a pivoted or rocking support;Fig. 3 is a and is ually to rest sectional sideelevation of a'similararra ment wherein one of the non-synchronizing springs is an elli tic orC-spring, Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional si e elevations taken at rightangles to eachfother showing the arrange .ment illustrated in Figs. 1and 2 as preferably applied' to asteering wheel, Fig. dis a sideelevation partly in section showing the bracket attached to an axleinstead of to the body of the vehicle, Fig. 7 is a front elevation, andFig. 8 a side elevation showing further modified constructions, Fig. 9is a side eleva tion showing a modification wherein the bracket ispermitted to move laterally on the cross axle, Fig. 10 shows anothermodification for permitting a fore and aft movement,

,Fig. 11 illustrates a still further modified construction in, which thesprings 'on the cross axle are permitted to move in their supports,Figs. 12 and 13 are respectively front and side elevations of a furthermodified construction, Figs. 14 and 15 are side elevations taken atright angles to each other showing a convenient application of theinvention to driving wheels, and Fig. 16 is a sectional elevationshowing a preferred construction of compressible radius rod.

Referrin first of all to Figs. 1 and 2, the stud axle %3 on which theroad wheel is mounted has a sleeve or boss 6 through which passes'aguide pin E The guide pin E is provided at its lower end with an. eye athrough whicha pin on a bracket 0 passes. The upper end 0 the pin E isadapted to move in a curved guide Q attached to the body of the vehicleand the sleeve 6 is arranged to move on the pin E between which and anadjustable collar 6 on the upper end of the pin are disposed two springsD The inner s ring D has oneen rest ng against theub b and the otherbearing against the inner end of a cup P which suprounds the pin E. andis freeto move longitudinally'thereon. Thisflcup has a flange p againstwhich one end of the spring D bears and the other end of this springrests against the collar 12. When the bracket 0 is rigidly connected tothe vehicle frame as shown in the drawings the springs D and D are socon structed that they do not synchronize in their relative -movements.ing action of the two springs must be more than normal, that is to saythe vibrations or :beats must cross each other to such an ap-'preciableextent that the action will be to rmg the parts gradually butquickly to rest The non-synchronizfactory results.

.up, thus avoiding any tendency of vibration or overturn of the vehicleespecially if constructed on the lines of an omnibus.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the springs D and D are.- similar in construction butwhere the bracket is rigidly connected to the vehicle the s ring D maybe replaced by elliptic-spring as shown in Fi 3. If however thebracket 0instead of being connected direct to the vehicle X is mounted on theordinary cross axle then the spring between the axle and the body of thevehicle is constructed so as not to synchronize with the springs D and DIt has been found that springswhich vibrate in the proportions of 5' tol'give satis- In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the'samearrangement as above described is shown applied to a steering wheel. Onthe end of the guide pin E is mounted a roller 6? which runs or bears onthe sides of the guide Q so as to steady the pin and also to reducefriction. At the lower end the pin is mounted in a rockin support. Rwhich turns in a bearing 0 in t e bearing 0 and beneath this support isattached at h the steering arm H which connects the pin to the steeringmechanism. This arrangement allows the pin to rock and 'the wheel tomove laterally of the vehicle without interfering with the steeringmechanism. The part of the pin on which the sleeve B moves is in thiscase conveniently rectangular in cross section. The compression of thesprings D and D will normally tend to keep the pin approximatelyupright.

' Referring now to the construction shown in Fi 6 a bracket C is mountedon a cross axle F The axle F? does'not extend across the vehicle but ispivoted at F to a support on the vehicle frame the elli tic spring Gbeing rilaced between this ve icle and the axle. n this case the pin Eon which the stud axle B of the road wheelAmoves is con nected rigidlyat both ends to the jaws c c of the bracket 0 av single spring D beingplaced between the hub b of the stud axle and the upper jaw of thebracket; this spring is non-synchronous with the spring G.

Referring to the construction in Fig. 7,.in this case the bracket 0which carries the guide pin E on which the axle B moves is provided witharms C which form bearings adapted to move on pins S. These pins S aremounted in brackets T secured to the vehicle frame or to the ordinarycross axle of the vehicle in any convenient manner. Between the bearingsG and the upper jaws of the bracket T are disposed springs U. Thebracket T can be permitted to move fore and aft relatively to thevehicle or may be mounted to rock; or the bracket C may be allowed torock in the bracket T.

A modified construction of the last described arrangement is shown inFig. 8 where a sin le bracket and a single sgrin are employed insteadofthe two springs an the two brackets T. In thiscase the bracket 0 isprovided with a bearing C adapted to move on a pillar S supported inbrackets 15; or a single bracket secured to the vehicle.

.VVhen these secondary brackets T or t are rigidly secured to thevehicle then the springs 'do not synchronize with each other in theirmovements and where the secondary brackets are mounted on the ordinarycross axle the springs'in the brackets do not synchronize'with thespring between the axleand the vehicle.

In the construction shown in iFi 9 the bracketyC is mounted on a crossax e F extending from side to side of the vehicle and isarranged to movelaterally relatively to the body of the vehicle. For this purpose theaxle F is rovided at or near each end with a bearing lock F adapted toslide in a guide N. The guide N has an extended part N which isconnected to an elli tic spring G in any convenient manner. T is ends ofthe spring G are connected by links-q to brackets 1 on the frame of thevehicle X. With this construction when the wheel passes over anobstruction it rises in the bracket (7 against the action of thespring Dand the shaft F moves fore and aft relatively to the body of thevehicle.

Another method for providing for the lateral movement of the wheelrelatively to the vehicle is shown in Fig. 10 where the s ring G towhich the cross axle F is attache( has its ends connected at g to links9 the other ends of which are pivotally attached to brackets X on thevehicle.

' Fig. 11 shows still another'method'of providing for the fore and aftmovement of the wheel relatively to the vehicle and in this constructionthe spring G carries at each end bearing blocks G connect-ed to it inany appropriate manner and these blocks are arranged to move in guides N-rigidly secured to the frame of the vehicle.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 thewheel axle B isconnected to a pin E of rectangular or similar cross section. This pinis arranged'to move vertically in uides c in the brackets C. Theseguides or bearings c are elongated'so that the in r t in addition to itsvertical movement t ierein may move laterally or fore and aft with thevehicle. "A'radius rod K is provided with a forked end K and embracesthe hub b and if this radius rod is rigidly attached to the hub the pinas-it 'moves'upward against the action of the radius rod. The radius rodv may however be pivoted to the hub Z) in which case the pin will moveas above described without tilting.

. of which encircles the shaft J to secure by Letters this case providesfor the lateral movement of the wheel axle by tilting. The wheel axle Bhas attached to its hub or sleeve 1 the forked end K of a radius rod Kthe other end When the wheel rises in passing over an obstruction itwill move round the shaft J 4 and the bracket being rotatably mounted onthe shaft F will 4 be free to move as required. The ends of the spring Gare connected to links g,'see Fig. 14,

and these in turn are pivoted to loops at on the vehicle frame X thusermitting'further lateral movement of the shaft F should this benecessary.

Fig. 16. illustrates a convenient construction of compressible radiusrod which consisfis of two parts K K fitting one Within the ot er. ofthe rod is provided with an eye or opening is by which it can beconnected to the wheel hub or to the vehicle, a similar eye It beingprovided on the other part of therod. The part K extends Within the partK and carries at or near its inner end a piston or en largement Kadjustably'secured to the rod K rand between this, and the inner end ofthe )art K is disposed a spring K.- The part 2 has a removable end cap Kthrough which the rod K extends. In order to adjust the length'of therod there is fitted on the part K a'screw-threaded collar K having aflange k bearing against the inner side of the cap K This flangeprevents the part K from being forced out too far, and therefore limitsthe maximum length of the radius rod. Shock or concussion is avoidedshould the rod be suddenly extended by rubber or other cushions K Byadjusting -the position of theenlargement or head K 'on the rod k, thelcom ression-on the'spring K can be reguate the rod is such that thespring K is sli htly in compression so that-the rod will not egin tocompress until a certain predetermined pressure is brought to bear omitsopposite ends. When applied to a steering wheel for instancethiscompressible rod permits the wheel when it comes against an obstructionto move relatively to the vehicle, and the spring returns it to itsnormal position when the obstruction is passed. Or when applied to adriving wheel the force of the spring will act against the forwardthrust of the road wheel. Obviously this spring connection on a driving'wheel will aid greatly in starting the vehicle from rest.

Whatl claim as my invention and desire Patent 1s:- 1. In a mounting orsuspension for vehicle The hollow or cylindrical part K In its normalcondition the length of,

wheels the combinationwith a short axle for the wheel and a bracket inwhich the wheel axle can move vertically, of a cross axle carrying thebrackets and non-synchronous s rings located between the wheel axle andthe bracket and between the bracketand its supporting cross axle towhich latter one of the springs is connected and means ermitting thewheel axle to move lateral y relaw tively to the vehicle.

2. In a mounting or suspension for. vehicle wheels the combination witha short independent axle for'each wheel and a bracketin which each wheelaxle can move vertically of a spring located. between the wheel axle andthe bracket a cross axle and sprin s non'. synchronous withthe'first-mentione spring connecting the bracket to the vehicle frameand means whereb Y the wheel axle and the bracket can move aterallyrelatively to the vehicle. I a

3. In a mounting or suspension for a vehicle wheel the combination witha spring-supported wheel axle and a bracket supportin the wheel axle ofa compressible radius r0 whereby the wheel axle is. permitted to movefore and aft relatively to the vehicle.

4. In a mountin or suspension for a vehicle wheeLthe com ination with awheel rotated by toothed gearing of a bracket in which the wheel axle issuspended by a spring, means whereby the bracket-can move fore and aftrelatively to the vehicle and a radius rod connected to a cross axlecarrying the bracket and to the driving shaft for the toothed pinion.

5. In a mounting or suspension for a vehicle wheel the combination witha bracket and a wheel axle spring-supported in the racket of mechanismpermitting the fore and aft e bracket relatively to the movement of tvehicle frame substantially. as and for the purpose described.

6,. In a mounting or suspension for a vehicle wheel the combination witha bracket and a wheel axle spring-supported in the bracket of aspring-supported cross axle, blocks on the cross axle and bearingsconnecting the axle to a spring, meansconnecting the lastmentionedspring to the vehicle.

7. Ina mounting or suspension for a vehiv cle wheel the combination witha bracket, a ported in the bracket, a

wheel axle spring-su cross axle sus ende from the vehicle body by aspring, 1) ocks on the ends of the latter and hearings on the vehiclebody for s ring I t ebocks.

8. In a mounting or suspension for a vehicle wheel the combination witha'wheel axle of a guide pin connected to the axle, a spring between theaxle anda bracket, springs supporting the bracket, means whereby theguide in can move vertically and laterally in the bracket and a radiusrod connected to the guide pin, substantially as described.

'spring between the wheel axle and the 9. In a mounting or suspensionfor a vehicle wheel the combination with a wheel axle and a guide meanswhere y the wheel axle can slide-on the guide pin, a spring between thewheel axle and the bracket, a pivoted arm attached to the lower end ofthe uide pin, a support in i which the guide pin is Free to turn, meansrotatably connecting the support to, the vehicle, and a guide for theupper end of the guide gin 10. n a mounting or suspension for a vehiclewheel the combination with an axle for I the wheel and a bracket, meanswhereby the axle can move vertically in the bracket, a

bracket, a spring non-synchronous with the first-mentioned springlocated between the bracket and the'vehicle, meanswhereby the wheel axlecan move fore and aft relatively pin, a pivot for the guide pin,

to the frame of the.vehic1e and a radius rod controlling the movementsof the wheel axle,

substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In a mounting or suspension for a ve-v hicle wheel the combinationwith a wheel axle and a bracket in which the wheel axle can of thecompressible radius rod substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to, this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. WM. FULTON.

Witnesses I JAMES GILFILLAN, J AS. BARCLAY.

